Charging on the go can be one of the biggest obstacles in electric vehicle adoption. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has entered into a public-private partnership with the City of Oslo, Norway to support their high-powered wireless taxi program.
The partnership is part of a larger initiative called ElectriCity, which includes Nordic taxi operator Cabonline (NorgesTaxi AS), the region’s largest charge point operator Fortum Recharge, U.S. technology developer Momentum Dynamics, and the City of Oslo. ElectriCity’s goal is to build a wireless, high-powered charging infrastructure for taxis in the Norwegian capital. JLR will provide 25 all-electric Jaguar I-PACE models to Cabonline, the largest taxi network in the Nordics.
Norway has heavily incentivized electric vehicle adoption.Photo courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
ElectriCity will produce the first wireless high-powered charging system for electric taxis in the world.
According to a release, engineers and technicians from Momentum Dynamics and JLR engaged to help in testing the solution, and Cabonline signed up to operate the fleet as part of Oslo’s ElectriCity program. Fortum Recharge will support the installation and electrification efforts.The Jaguar I-PACE, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle, has been designed to enable Momentum Dynamics’ wireless charging technology.
According to research, both electric taxi and driver efficiency can be maximized when charging does not require taxis to leave their route. In order to make wireless charging work, wireless charging plates, rated at 50-75 kilowatts each, are installed in the ground in series at pick-up-drop-off points.
The induction charging system works similarly to an induction stovetop.Photo courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
This allows each equipped taxi to charge while queuing for the next fare. The system, which uses no cables and situated below ground, requires no physical connection between charger and vehicle, engages automatically and provides on average 6-8 minutes of energy per each charge up to 50kW.
Each taxi can receive multiple charges throughout their shift.
When the chargers are installed, Oslo will be the world’s first metropolitan area to install wireless, induction-based high-powered charging stations for electric taxis, in a bid to make its cab system emission free as early as 2024.
Per capita, Norway has more electric car owners and drivers than any other country in the world. The country has highly incentivized and regulated the adoption of the vehicles. Norway is mandating that all new cars sold in the country by 2025 are zero emission vehicles.
